Sky-Blues manager Josep Guardiola fears de Bruyne won’t return until 2024.
De Bruyne personally confirmed via social media on Friday that he has undergone surgery on the back of his thigh, an injury he sustained in the Premier League first leg against Burnley.
Various timelines have previously been quoted regarding the 32-year-old Belgian’s return to action, but Guardiola is targeting a period of up to five months and is considering entering the transfer market with that in mind.